40 | The Writer • November 2019
CONFERENCE INSIDER
BY MELISSA HART
R
etired Milwaukee firefighter
Gregory Lee Renz attended
the UW-Madison Writers’
Institute with an idea for a
novel based on his work experience,
taking first place in both fiction and
nonfiction in the Institute’s 2015 writ-
ing contest. And then, after years of
writing and revision, he sold his debut
novel, Beneath the Flames (Henschel-
HAUS, 2019).
Renz represents one of many pub-
lishing success stories that have
emerged from the Institute, now in its
30 th year. The four-day event in Madi-
son, Wisconsin, attracts people from
all over the U.S. with workshops and
discussions on craft, revision, market-
ing and publication, and promotion.
“We have aspiring, emerging, and
established writers,” says event director
Laurie Scheer. “Even if you haven’twritten a page yet – even if you just have
an idea – you’re most welcome. There
are so many opportunities to meet other
writers, speakers, and agents or to sim-
ply attend and absorb information.”What you’ll learn
Featured presenters at the institute
include industry professionals such as
author/blogger Jane Friedman and
author/book coach Jennie Nash,
author/diversity educator Donna Hart-
Tervalon, and author/former New York
City police officer Nick Chiarkas.
Multi-genre author Jessica Lourey will
deliver the keynote address on Friday.
The Institute offers two tracks forUW-Madison Writers’ Institute
Attendees can find craft advice, camaraderie, and commercial
success at this welcoming four-day event.Conference:UW-Madison
Writers’ Institute
Dates: March 26-29, 2020
Cost: $265-$ 345
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Contact: Event Director Laurie
Scheer, [email protected],
uwwritersinstitute.wisc.eduyoungryand^ /^Shutterstock.com